INCREASED SUGAR INDUSTRY PROFITABILITY THROUGH HARVESTING BEST PRACTICE

This paper contains a description of the process used, major trial results achieved and financial impact on growers and harvesters of a state-wide project on Harvesting Best Practice (HBP). The HBP project facilitates the adoption of best practice by demonstrating harvesting and farming practices that improve profitability. Key areas are cane quality, cane loss, soil in the cane supply, stool damage, field efficiency and measuring cost of harvest on a block by block basis. Central to the project activities has been the participatory role of harvesting crews, harvester owners, growers and mill staff in the formulation of farm trials based on issues important to their group. This project demonstrated that adoption of HBP (specifically, lower pour rate and lower extractor fan speed balanced against harvest time) can provide an extra $100/ha to the industry. Several barriers to adoption of HBP have slowed progress. These include low sugar prices, wet weather, orange rust disease, system of harvester payment, insufficient cane quality feedback mechanisms and physical, time and safety constraints upon harvesting. Information gathered from farm trials and harvester research was incorporated into a Harvesting Best Practice Manual. Extension activities including co-operator feedback meetings, group shed meetings, field days, information forums, media input and circulation of Draft HBP Manuals occurred in all regions from northern NSW to Mossman although the focus was central and northern districts.